George Zambelli Sr.

ZAMBELLI
GEORGE, SR.
KING OF FIREWORKS DIES
The dearly beloved and world renowned George R. Zambelli, Sr., president and owner of the globally famous, 100-plus year old Zambelli Fireworks Internationale corporation, passed away Christmas Day at the age of 79 of the flu. He is most admired for his business ethics and his tenderness for the less fortunate, having contributed to numerous charitable organizations. Mr. Zambelli took the small pyrotechnical artistry his father brought to New Castle, PA, near Pgh., from Casserta, Italy and made it into the world's most prominent fireworks company. With an average of 3,500 fireworks shows a year, Zambelli and his family have become known as the worlds most noted pyrotechnical firm. The family-owned business is famous for having done pyrotechnics or inaugural displays for every president since and including John F. Kennedy, and for traveling the globe meeting such dignitaries as numerous presidents, kings and queens, celebrities and even Pope John Paul III. "Boom Boom" Zambelli or "Mr. Fireworks", as he was called, is appreciated for such shows as Desert Storm, Thunder over Louisville, Statue of Liberty celebration and a myriad of others. He is a noted philanthropist for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, the UPMC Cancer Institute and many other associations. Mr. Zambelli was born Oct. 19, 1924 to the late Antonio and Maria Toscano Zambelli. He is survived by his beloved wife- "ambassador at large"- Constance Thomas Zambelli, who he married on June 20, 1946. In addition he is survived by one son, George R. Zambelli, Jr., M.D., of Marshall Twp., PA, his wife Melanie Weiter Zambelli and their children, George III, Jared, Alison and Jessica, four daughters: Donnalou Zambelli-McVay, D.D.S., of New Castle and her husband, Pat McVay and her children, Amberlee and Summer Joy; Marcy Zambelli-Fumagali, of Boca Raton, FL and her husband, Oscar Fumagali and their daughters, Aubriana and Alandra; Annlyn Zambelli-Richards, of New Castle and her husband, Michael Richards and their children, Michael Jr. and Constance; and Danabeth Zambelli-Trasatti, of Boca Raton, FL and her husband Gary Trasatti. One brother, Louis Zambelli, of New Castle also survives. Mr. Zambelli was preceded in death by two brothers, Carmen and Joseph Zambelli and three sisters, Annabelle Angelucci, Conjetta Tommelleo and Rita Iraze. Mr. Zambelli was a life-long member of St. Mary Church of Mary Mother of Hope Parish in New Castle and a life member and 3rd Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus. The recipient of numerous awards, honors and citations including: the 2003 recipient of the Silver Buffalo Award from the Boy Scouts of America, Man of the Year of The Boys Town of Italy, Member of the Hall of Fame of International Festivals and Events Association, Distinguished Alumni Award for the Century Club of Duquesne University and a Congressional Honor Recipient from the United States of America. Mr. Zambelli, a graduate of Duquesne University, is noted for his love of life in spite of a ten year battle with cancer. His excitement over every show he put on was contagious and he passed this passion on to his children and grandchildren who are the fourth generation of the firm. The family will continue the business as a team, doing together what their father and grandfather had done alone in the early years. One of the greatest honors showered on George R. Zambelli, Sr. was to have had an autobiography written on him and his family, released recently by Paul Eriksson, Inc. Publishing and entitled Zambelli: The First Family of Fireworks. Visitation for George R. Zambelli, Sr., will be held Tues., Dec. 30, 2003 from 2-4 & 6-9pm at the WILLIAM F. & ROGER M. DeCARBO FUNERAL HOME, 926 Cunningham Ave., New Castle, PA. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 at 11am at St. Mary Church, 125 Beaver St., New Castle and conducted by Father Victor Molka of Mary Mother of Hope Parish. A funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 10:30am on Wednesday. Entombment will be at Resurrection Mausoleum in New Castle. Daylight fireworks will be displayed in the honor of Mr. Zambelli at the cemetery. Later in the evening a special New Year's fireworks tribute will be displayed in honor of George R. Zambelli, Sr. by his wife Connie Zambelli, with specialty shells made by his deceased brother Joe years ago and now produced and arranged by his brother Louis. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, 3705 5th Ave., Pgh., PA 15213.
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